Handheld
/ PDA
Personal digital assistants
(also called PDAs) are handheld devices that were
originally designed as personal organizers, but
became much more versatile over the years. A basic
handheld PDA usually includes date book, address
book, task list, memo pad, clock, and calculator
software. Newer PDAs also have both color screens
and audio capabilities, enabling them to be used
as mobile phones, web browsers or media players.
Many PDAs can access the Internet, intranets or
extranets via Wi-Fi, or Wireless Wide-Area Networks
(WWANs).
Many original handheld PDAs
featured touch screens for user interaction, having
only a few buttons usually reserved for shortcuts
to often used programs. Touch screen handheld PDAs,
including Windows Pocket PC devices, usually have
a detachable stylus that can be used on the touch
screen. Interaction is then done by tapping the
screen to activate buttons or menu choices, and
dragging the stylus to for example highlight text.